This fact sheet is for people who are representing themselves in court. It covers some of the things you can do to prepare for your court hearing, as well as what you should and should not do inside the courtroom.
Getting ready
Be prepared and ready to present your case on the day of your court hearing. Do as much research as possible and gather all the information for your case.
Make sure you have all your documents clearly organised and mark the documents that have already been filed with the Court. Bring a note pad and pen with you too.
Some people find it helpful to sit in a courtroom before the hearing if they have never been in a court before. Most court hearings are heard in open court so you can do this any time.
What to wear
There are no rules about what to wear in court. However, the Court is a formal place and you should dress accordingly.
Children at court
Generally, courts are not appropriate places for children. Please make other arrangements for your child’s care when you come to court.
If your child needs to attend court to speak to a court child expert or judicial officer, check with court staff before your court appointment whether any child-care arrangements need to be made for the day.
Personal safety
If you have any concerns about your safety while attending court, please call 1300 352 000 before your court appointment or hearing. Options for your safety at court will be discussed and arrangements put in place. See the fact sheet Do you have fears for your safety when attending court?.
Arriving at court
You can confirm the location of the Court registry by visiting www.fcfcoa.gov.au/court-locations. You should arrive at least 30 minutes early to give yourself plenty of time to clear security and find the courtroom. If you have any problems finding the right courtroom, ask court staff.
In most court locations, a duty lawyer may be available to assist you on the day of your court hearing. The duty lawyer assistance is limited and you must meet certain guidelines to be eligible for assistance.
You can bring a family member or friend (who is over the age of 18) to sit with you and provide support. Unless approved by the judicial officer, your support person cannot sit with you at the bar table and cannot speak on your behalf.
Recording devices are not permitted in courtrooms without permission of the judicial officer.
Before entering the courtroom you should:
- turn off electronic equipment, including mobile phones, and
- remove hats or sunglasses, unless for medical or religious reasons.
Do not bring any food or drink into the courtroom.
Inside the courtroom
Before you enter the courtroom, give your name to the person assisting the judicial officer (either the court officer or associate). Let them know that you are representing yourself. If you are unsure, ask them where you need to sit.
You will have to wait for your case to be called as there may be a number of cases listed on the same day. If you are waiting for your case to be called, you should avoid talking or making any distracting noise in the courtroom.
You must stand each time the Court commences or adjourns. The court officer or associate will announce this by saying ‘All rise’ or ‘Please stand’.
When your case is called
When your case is called, stand up and the court officer or associate will direct you to the bar table.
Take your paperwork with you but do not put bags or briefcases on the bar table.
There is no strict rule about where you should sit. Normally each party (or their lawyer if they have one) will sit at opposite ends of the bar table. If there is an independent children’s lawyer appointed, they will sit in the middle. If in doubt, ask the court officer or associate.
Stand with the other party or parties at the bar table until everyone has announced themselves. Announce your name clearly and state whether you are the applicant or respondent.
When orders are made
When the judicial officer announces their decision, listen carefully to the reasons given and write down the orders made. Ask for the orders to be repeated if you missed any. If you do not understand any of the orders, ask the judicial officer to explain them once they have finished speaking. Once finalised your orders will be signed and sealed electronically and available to download from the Commonwealth Courts Portal (www.comcourts.gov.au). For a step-by-step guide to accessing orders see How do I access my orders?.
Sometimes, a judicial officer may reserve or holdover their decision for another time or date. The Court will advise you when the decision has been made and you must attend court when the decision is handed down.
Once orders are made, your case is finished and you are free to leave. As you leave the courtroom, pause at the door briefly and nod to the judicial officer. You should also follow this procedure whenever you enter or leave the courtroom while the Court is in session. If your case is the last, the court officer or associate will ask everyone to stand while the judicial officer leaves the bench.
Speaking to the judicial officer
The judicial officer hearing your case will either be a judge, or judicial registrar. The court officer or associate can tell you who is hearing your case. You should address a judge as ‘Your Honour’ and a judicial registrar as ‘Registrar’.
At a final hearing or trial, the judicial officer usually asks the applicant to outline their case first. Following the applicant’s case and any cross-examination by the respondent, the respondent outlines their case and may be cross-examined by the applicant. If there is an independent children’s lawyer appointed, they may also cross-examine the applicant and/or respondent and present evidence to the Court. The parties then make any final comments in support of their case.
Unless advised otherwise, you should stand when you are speaking or being spoken to. Speak clearly and politely to the judicial officer. Do not:
- address comments to other people in the courtroom
- point or use abusive language, or
- raise your voice or shout.
The judicial officer may ask questions or interrupt you. Listen carefully and answer as clearly as you can. If the judicial officer says something is not relevant, move on to your next point.
You cannot interrupt the other party with an objection unless it is about a matter of law. If you do have a legal objection, stand and tell the judicial officer of your objection.
Electronic hearings
Your hearing may be conducted electronically because you have made a request (using the request form), or the Court has directed that the hearing will be held via video link or telephone.
An electronic hearing is a proper and formal court hearing. The only difference is that it is conducted via electronic means rather than in-person with all parties in a courtroom. The usual Rules of Court, court procedures, courtesies and formalities still apply and are expected to be complied with. For more information see Electronic hearings on the website.
Legal advice
You should seek legal advice before deciding what to do. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities, and explain how the law applies to your case.
You can seek legal advice from a legal aid office, community legal centre or private law firm. Court staff can help you with questions about court forms and the Court process, but cannot give you legal advice.
This fact sheet provides general information only and is not provided as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, you should contact a lawyer before making a decision about what to do or applying to the Court. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia cannot provide legal advice.
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